Industry leaders Heidi Dokulil, Ewan McEoin, Liane Rossler, Jennifer Sanders, Terri Winter, Colin Rochester and Richard Waller met in Sydney to deliberate the entries at Luxe Studios. In the end they chose Henry’s stylish and elegant ‘A-Joint’ design from the top ten entries.
When asked about the philosophy behind his work, Henry said, “I seek truth in my objects. I find beauty derived from this basic value delivers the most resonance with its audience. I endeavour to use intelligent and logical conceptual thought in the creation of my work in the hope it will carry my message of an ethically designed future.”
Winner Henry Wilson
As this year’s winner, Henry Wilson will be awarded AUD$30,000 towards the commercialisation of his design and a trip to a leading design fair, choosing from Index in Denmark, Design Miami or Interieur 2012 design fair in Belgium. Runners up, Alexander Fitzpatrick – Light Garden, Dale Hardiman – Kids Straw Stool, Dominic Broadhurst – Scale and Flynn Talbot – X & Y will each receive $2,500. Finalists Marc Harrison – Husque Jug, Alexandra Gilmour and Dominic Chong – Spun Lamps by Evie Group, Duncan Meerding – Cracked Log Lamps, Kristian Aus – Dottie Coat Rack and Dennis Abalos – Woven will each receive $1,000.
Terri Winter of top3 by design has been on the judging panel since 2009 and says, “Thoughtful, innovative and retrospective would be three words that come to mind with this year’s very diverse range of entries.”
Richard Waller, Editor of Inside Out Magazine, joined the judging panel for the first time this year and said, “What I found interesting this year was the sheer breadth of the work, with an amazing range of products and designs.” Although uniquely Australian, he believes this year’s finalists reflect a wider trend in the design industry where he sees “a lot of people returning to a more utilitarian CIY, or ‘create it yourself’ design.”
The BOMBAY SAPPHIRE DESIGN DISCOVERY AWARD initiative is part of BOMBAY SAPPHIRE’s continued commitment to reward and assist Australian designers in developing their careers’.
An exhibition of the BOMBAY SAPPHIRE DESIGN DISCOVERY AWARD top ten designs will take place November 3 through November 25 at the Supa Centa Moore Park, Gallery Level, 2A Todman Ave Kensington. The exhibition is open during trading hours, for details please visit.
